This variation of the blanket stitch is useful for creating loops and for adding texture to dimensional embroidery. it is worked from one side to another on a foundation made up of straight stitches. The blanket stitches do not got through the fabric.

1) Bring the thread to the front of the fabric in A. Take the needle to the side at B. Pull the thread through to form a straight stitch.

2) Repeat step 1 to build a double-threaded foundation stitch that will support the weight of the blanket stitches.

3) Bring the needle to the front just under A. Pull the thread.

4) Take the needle from top to bottom behind the foundation stitches. Do not go through the fabric.

5) Position the thread under the tip of the needle and begin pulling the thread through.

6) Continue pulling the thread towards you until the stitch is wrapped snuggly around the foundation stitches.

It's been a while since my last free cross stitch, and it's been at least 5 years since my football-related cross stitch grid. So today I had to make do. Here it is, for your enjoyment, the free cross stitch grid of the Manchester United FC logo.

You will need a fabric that can take 100 stitches x 100 stitches. Colours are down to basic three: red, yellow, black.

As the name clearly suggests, the double herringbone stitch is made up of two rows of herringbone stitches. A second row (in red on the pictures) using the same spacing is worked over the first (in blue on the pictures), interlacing the stitches together.

The herringbone stitch is often used to work decorative borders. To make your work easier and help make stitches evenly, mark two parallel lines. Space the stitches closer or wider apart according to the desired effect.

This darning stitch, also called the Queen Anne stitch, is created from a combination of two types of parallel stitches: the vertical straight stitches form the framework; the horizontal stitches are woven through that framework.

Bring the needle to the front of the fabric, just to the side of the last vertical stitch and very close to the top of it.

Weave the needle over the last vertical stitch and under the stitch next to it.

Continue weaving over and under the stitches.

Take the needle to the back of the fabric to the back of the fabric, just to the left of the first vertical stitch and level with the line of weaving.

Pull the thread through.

Bring the needle to the front. Pull the thread through. Weave to the other side - over, under, over, under, etc.

Take the needle to the back of the fabric. Use the tip of the needle to re-ajust and tighten the threads together.

Pull the thread through and re-emerge just below this point. Continue weaving from side to side until the vertical stitches are completely covered.

Also known as stroke stitch or flat stitch, the straight stitch is one of the most - if not THE most - basic embroidery stitch, as it is made without crossing or looping the thread. Bring the thread to the front in A.

Take the needle to the back in B.

Pull the thread through and bring to the front in C, etc.

The straight stitch can be stitched in any direction and to any length, and forms the basis for many other stitches. Here it is stitched horizontally.

This stitch is used to form broken or unbroken lines or starbursts, fill shapes, and create geometric designs.